Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4335

Caption

Relating to certain judicial statistics and related information gathered by the Texas Judicial Council.

Impact

The implementation of HB 4335 is expected to have significant implications for state legislation regarding judicial accountability and transparency. By increasing the frequency and detail of data reporting from courts, the bill strengthens the ability of the Texas Judicial Council to monitor and evaluate the efficiency of the judicial system. This change allows for more informed decision-making regarding resource allocation and court operations, which can ultimately lead to improved outcomes for individuals involved in child support cases.

Summary

House Bill 4335 aims to enhance the collection and transparency of certain judicial statistics by the Texas Judicial Council. This legislation requires the council to gather comprehensive data on the business transacted by courts, including case-level information on issues such as child support enforcement. The bill mandates a systematic monthly reporting process where district and county clerks must provide detailed information to ensure accountability among counties and courts. This effort is designed to improve oversight in the judicial system, particularly in the area of enforcement of child support obligations.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 4335 appears to be generally positive, as it seeks to address critical issues in the judicial process by promoting better data management and accountability. Supporters argue that an integrated reporting system will enhance public confidence in the judicial system and ensure that courts are held accountable for their performance. However, there may be some apprehension regarding the additional administrative burden placed on district and county clerks, which could be a point of contention among some local officials.

Contention

While most discussions on HB 4335 have been supportive, there could be concerns regarding the logistics of implementing the reporting requirements. Critics may argue about the feasibility of compliance, particularly for smaller jurisdictions that may lack the resources to meet the extensive data collection and reporting mandates. Thus, while the overarching goal of improved judicial transparency is widely accepted, the details of how this will be executed without overburdening local court systems could lead to further debate.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB841

Relating to certain judicial statistics and related information gathered by the Texas Judicial Council.

TX HB1182

Relating to judicial statistics and other pertinent information gathered by the Texas Judicial Council and certain populous counties.

TX HB1841

Relating to landlord and tenant dispute information reported by courts to the Texas Judicial Council and made accessible to the public.

TX SB1367

Relating to the confidentiality of certain information for employees of a county courthouse or the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System and the employees' family members.

TX HB3937

Relating to a criminal justice system sentencing database established by the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System.

TX HB2043

Relating to a criminal justice system pretrial and sentencing database established by the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System.

TX SB1953

Relating to a centers of excellence program developed by the Texas Judicial Council and a merit payment for certain justices and judges.

TX SB875

Relating to a criminal justice system pretrial and sentencing database established by the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System.

TX HB1184

Relating to access to criminal history record information for use in certain research or statistical projects.

TX HB1765

Relating to the redaction of certain information from a document posted on the Internet by a county clerk or district clerk on request of a person to whom the information relates or the judicial security division of the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.